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July 15, 2024

Lollies and Biccies: Understanding the Australian Slang

By Karthika S

Australians or the 'Aussies' are some of the most laid-back and friendly people you will ever meet. This attitude is often reflected in their language too. We can sense a sort of welcoming and friendliness in Australian slang, which sounds very cute, though not familiar to other nationalities. Aussie slang is a fascinating blend of creativity and brevity that gives a playful twist to the English language. Australians have a knack for shortening words and inventing phrases that might leave you scratching your head if you’re not in the know. Let's understand a few Australian slang which will help you in the long run, whether visiting as a student or as a tourist.

Australia's vibrant and unique slang is often used in daily conversations. Here are some of the most commonly used Aussie slang terms-

Greetings

G’day - Hello.
Mate - Friend.

Food

Brekky - Breakfast.
Avo - Avocado.
Lollies - Sweets or candy.
Chook - Chicken.

Beverage

Maccas - McDonald's.
Servo - Service station or gas station.

Social/Expressions

No worries - It’s okay; no problem.
She’ll be right - Everything will be okay.
Fair dinkum - Genuine or true.
Ripper - Fantastic or great.
Bogan - An unsophisticated person.

Clothing/Apparel

Trackie daks - Sweatpants.
Thongs - Flip flops.
Sunnies - Sunglasses.

Places/Things

Dunny - Toilet or bathroom.
Barbie - Barbecue.
Esky - Cooler or icebox.

Emotions

Devo - Devastated.
Aggro - Aggressive or angry.
Stunned mullet - Shocked or surprised.
Full-on - Intense.
Chock-a-block - Very full.
Flat out - Really busy.

Slang for Christmas

Chrissie - Christmas.
Prezzie - Present.
Rellies Run - Journey to meet one’s friends and relatives around Christmas time.
Stocking stuffer - An inexpensive gift used to fill the Christmas stocking.
Done up like a Christmas tree - Overly dressed in poor taste or gaudily dressed.

Insults

Bogan - An unsophisticated person.
Drongo - A fool.
Derro - An idiot.
Wombat - Lazy person (inspired by the animal, implying laziness).
Bludger - Lazy person.
DADS - Dumb as a dog.
Fair suck of the sav - Used when asking for a fair chance or fair go.
Get stuffed - Another way to tell someone to "get lost."

These terms are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Australian slang, each adding a distinct flavor to the Aussie way of speaking. Here are some other slang phrases with the meanings and examples.

1. What’s the John Dory?

Meaning: What’s going on?
Usage: Used to ask for the latest news or gossip.
Example: "Hey mate, what’s the John Dory?"

2. Chuck a Sickie

Meaning: To call in sick to work without actually being sick.
Usage: Often used when someone wants a day off without a legitimate reason.
Example: "I’m chucking a sickie tomorrow to go to the beach."

3. Fair Dinkum

Meaning: True or genuine; used to emphasize honesty.
Usage: Can be used to affirm the truth of a statement or to question someone's honesty.
Example: "This fish is fair dinkum huge!"

4. Carrying On Like a Pork Chop

Meaning: To behave foolishly or overreact.
Usage: Describes someone making a big fuss over nothing.
Example: "Stop carrying on like a pork chop and calm down."

5. Dog’s Breakfast

Meaning: A complete mess or chaos.
Usage: Used to describe something that is disorganized or in a state of disarray.
Example: "His room looks like a dog’s breakfast."

6. Do the Harry

Meaning: To disappear suddenly.
Usage: Refers to someone leaving quickly and without notice.
Example: "He did the Harry when the bill came."

7. No Worries, Mate, She’ll Be Apples

Meaning: Everything will be fine; don’t worry.
Usage: A reassuring phrase often used to calm someone’s concerns.
Example: "No worries, mate, she’ll be apples. We’ll fix it in no time."

8. Buckley’s Chance

Meaning: No chance at all.
Usage: Indicates that something is highly unlikely to happen.
Example: "You’ve got Buckley’s chance of getting tickets now."

9. Give It a Burl

Meaning: Give it a try.
Usage: Encourages someone to attempt something, even if they’re unsure of the outcome.
Example: "I’ve never cooked Thai food before, but I’ll give it a burl."

10. Flat Out Like a Lizard Drinking

Meaning: Extremely busy or working hard.
Usage: Describes someone who is very busy or occupied.
Example: "I’ve been flat out like a lizard drinking this week with all these deadlines."

11. Pull the Wool Over Your Eyes

Meaning: To deceive or trick someone.
Usage: Refers to someone trying to hide the truth or deceive others.
Example: "Don’t let them pull the wool over your eyes with their smooth talk."

12. Stone the Crows

Meaning: An exclamation of surprise or disbelief.
Usage: Used when something unexpected or shocking happens.
Example: "Stone the crows! I didn’t see that coming."

13. Wrap Your Laughing Gear ‘Round That

Meaning: Eat that.
Usage: A humorous way to tell someone to eat something.
Example: "Here’s a meat pie. Wrap your laughing gear ‘round that."

14. Hit the Frog and Toad

Meaning: Hit the road; leave.
Usage: A rhyming slang way of telling someone to get going.
Example: "It’s late, time to hit the frog and toad."

15. Mad as a Cut Snake

Meaning: Very angry or crazy.
Usage: Describes someone who is extremely angry or behaving irrationally.
Example: "He went mad as a cut snake when he saw the damage to his car."

16. Six of one, half a dozen of the other

Meaning: Two options that are essentially the same.
Example: "We can take either route; it’s six of one, half a dozen of the other."

17. Throw a shrimp on the barbie

Meaning: Invite someone to a barbecue; often used to mean enjoying a casual outdoor meal.
Example: "Come over this weekend, we’ll throw a shrimp on the barbie."

18. Have a Captain Cook

Meaning: To take a look or inspect something briefly.
Example: "Come have a Captain Cook at this new gadget I bought."

Australian slang is a vibrant and distinctive part of the country's culture, reflecting the laid-back, humorous, and straightforward nature of its people. These phrases, embody a spirit of fairness, resilience, and camaraderie, making communication more colorful and engaging. Whether you're visiting Australia, planning to live there, or simply fascinated by its culture, mastering these slang terms can enhance your experience and help you connect more deeply with the locals. So, embrace the Aussie lingo, and you’ll be well on your way to talking like a true blue Australian.

FAQs

Q1: What is the origin of Australian slang?

Australian slang originated from a mix of influences, including British convicts, settlers, and Indigenous Australian languages. The unique blend of these elements, along with the practical and often humorous nature of Australians, gave rise to a distinct set of colloquial terms and phrases.

Q2: What is the significance of Australian slang in national identity?

Australian slang is a crucial part of the country's national identity, reflecting its history, cultural diversity, and the distinct character of its people. It fosters a sense of community and belonging among Australians.

Q3: Why do Australians add "o" to the end of words?

Australians often add "o" to the end of words to create slang terms, such as "arvo" for afternoon or "smoko" for a smoking break. This practice simplifies and shortens words, fitting the relaxed and informal communication style.